Departure information

This trip can be tailormade and can be arranged to depart between 3rd January - 31st March 2019

Our top tip:

Take at least two pairs of gloves each.

Trip type:

Tailormade to your preferences.

Activity level:

Lesiurely.

Accomm:

2 nights cosy hotel, 1 night wilderness cabin.

Solos:

Solo travelers welcome. Single rooms available for a surcharge.

Meals:

Full board.

Included:

Accommodation, all meals, English speaking guide, Arctic team including huskies.

Vouchers

Accepted

Vacation type

Traveling with a local operator

This vacation is operated by a company based in the vacation destination and they will be able to provide expert local knowledge. They will be able to tailor make your vacation to suit your requirements not only concerning the dates of travel but also typically the standard of accommodation, and thus price. It is rare for local operators to be able to help with the booking of your flights.

Responsible tourism

Responsible tourism: Tailor made husky safari in Wild Taiga, Finland

Environment

Our sleddog tours are done without any motor vehicles to open the track in front of the sledges. We use mostly public routes which are also used by snowmobiles, skiers etc, and are opened and maintained in co-operation with other users. By that way we aim to minimize the negative impacts on nature. One big important thing on our dog-sled tours is that we don't use a snowmobile to open the tracks in front of the sleds as it is often done. This is one reason why we often get customers that are already very aware of environmental issues.

Our dogs do eat a lot, so it is important to pay attention on the environmental affects of our dog food. Although well-being of the dogs is the most important factor in this case, we refuse to import our dog food from overseas. With the help of leading Finnish dog feeding specialists we have combined a diet that is both good for dogs and has as small carbon footprint as possible. Also the ethical aspects are taken strongly into consideration. In wintertime our dogs eat mainly salmon fishbones and heads (a byproduct from local fish farms), balanced with organic oat porridge, vitamins and minerals to reach the perfect nutritional value. In summertime, when dogs need less fatty food, the main component is self-caught lake fish. Fishing is done with selective methods in small lakes that have biomass overgrowth. Taking away small cyprinid fish (the reason for biomass overgrowth) and leaving predator fish in the lakes is good for these eutrophicated water ecosystems.

Sustainable thinking also reaches our dinner table. We mostly follow plant-based diet for environmental, ethical & healthy reasons. Occasionally we do eat locally caught fish and game meat, and we can also serve these for the guests. So one does not need to be a vegetarian or vegan to attend this tour, but if you want to try plant-based diet we are happy to serve it!

Outdoor lunches are enjoyed on fireplaces which are maintained by Forest and Park Service. Such fireplaces are in free use for everyone. We are doing co-operation with Forest and Park Service and we pay a certain amount of money when we use these places. This money goes for maintaining the fire places and other infrastructure in nature protection and recreational areas.

Customer transportations from/to the airport are done by a local taxi driver when a public transportation is not available. I'd like to use public transportations more, but the connections are poor and do not meet well with the flights. However, when using a taxi, we try to organise common transportation with the hotels and other program service providers in order to cut the costs and emissions.

Community

On this tour you have a chance to face the local people as all of the guides and the hotel staff are locals living here the whole year round, not only the busiest seasons.

The food we serve is strongly based on local ingredients (meat, fish, berries, mushrooms, vegetables) which we get very locally, avoiding long transportations. Fish and meat comes from local fishermen and hunting clubs, berries and mushrooms are picked by ourselves or locals who earn some extra-money during autumn time by gathering the nature goods. Potatoes and other vegetables are being bought from a local small farm. If we don't bake the bread ourselves, it is bought from a village bakery.

By using local work force and subcontractors we do our share to help people to be able to make their living in this beautiful area and to reduce people moving to cities searching for work.

8 Reviews of Tailor made husky safari in Wild Taiga, Finland

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Reviewed on 24 Jan 2017 by Matthew Peek

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

Sledding through snow-covered forests driving my own team of dogs; the silence, apart from the creaking of the sled and the hiss of the snow under the runners.

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?

Aki and Sovi have an extensive wardrobe of cold weather gear so apart from thermals and similar there is really no need to bring (or buy) lots of winter gear.For us, a 3-4 hours sledding trip each day was enough; if you want to have a tough experience than other operators can offer 24 hour a day wilderness, cutting holes in the ice for water and (probably) being pretty cold at night!

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Aki and Sovi are very committed to conservation and knowledgeable about wildlife, plants, geology and so on. They take a pride in leaving no mark on the landscape. They take great care of their dogs and although they work hard the dogs obviously enjoy it.

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?

Often an experience you have been waiting for a long time does not live up to what you had imagined. This did, and in fact exceeded what I had hoped for. From the warmth and hospitality of our hosts (and their great home cooked Finnish cuisine), to interacting with the dogs and harnessing them, to the experience of a wood fired sauna beside a frozen lake each evening, this short vacation could not have been better.

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2016 by Philippa Cawthorne

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

Sheer exhilaration being pulled through the Finnish forest in the snow by enthusiastic huskies. Dogs were fabulous and so affectionate. Stayed in a very atmospheric cabin by a frozen lake with a wood fired sauna - excellent hosts looked after us very well.

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?

Take hand warmers as hands can get cold.

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Husky Safari is run by two Finns who live in the cabin year round. The environmental impact of the dogs pulling a sled is nil!

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?

Excellent experience - would have liked to have stayed longer and would go again!

Reviewed on 29 Feb 2016 by Lloyd Bond

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

Dipping into the ice cold lake following the sauna

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?

Book sensible arrival/departure times

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Absolutely

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?

Spectacular

Reviewed on 12 Feb 2016 by Denise PHILLIPS

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

Routa travel have a very sound ethos and finding them is like finding a rare jewel. The dog sledding experience was a joy and traveling this way through the forest and over a frozen lake has to be experienced to understand how magical it feels. Add to this the comfort, wonderful food, time to connect with the dogs and exceptional people and you have something special to remember.

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?

Follow all the advice the owner gives you - it's all so well thought out. The kit list is just right and we found merino wool under layers the best.

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Yes

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?

The best vacation we have ever had.

Reviewed on 09 Feb 2016 by Ogo Mkparu

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

The most memorable part of my journey was listening to the wolves howl as we first arrived. I also found it extremely exciting going into their playpen as well as sledging over frozen lakes with these majestic creatures.

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?

Get heavy duty mittens to keep your hands warm as they will probably be exposed at some point.

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

I felt that the people I stayed with were very aware of the local environment and took care to make sure our visit did not negatively impact the area. Being a rather rural area I imagine in a small way our trip helps to bolster the economy.

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?

I had an amazing time, from just looking at the snow covered peeks to being in nature, seeing the wild life and finally the people.

Reviewed on 13 Apr 2015 by Liz Booth

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

The most memorable part of our vacation was sitting on a frozen lake, watching our daughters disappearing off into the distance each driving a small team of huskies - and seeing their excited faces when they returned! Also playing with the beautiful, friendly huskies, our family sledding trips, enjoying the tranquillity of the environment and the amazing wood fired sauna. Not to mention the delicious home cooked food. Aki and Suvi were the perfect hosts and as we were the only family there it did not feel at all like a 'package' - it was so relaxed and friendly.

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?

Take warm clothes and at least 2 pairs of gloves each!

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Yes we could see that our hosts had very responsible attitudes towards the environment and were working to preserve the local wildlife as well as providing really attentive care for their huskies.

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?

Amazing, fantastic, once in a lifetime vacation experience.

Reviewed on 06 Mar 2014 by Katherine Stuart

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

Meeting the dogs, steering the sled and the complete change of scenery and fresh air. The chance to sample local food (moose, reindeer, berries) which was mostly excellent.

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?

Take warm clothing of course. Layers are best. Aki will suggest what you need when you book. The disposable foot warmers work really well as your feet will be next to the snow most of the day. Get involved and take the opportunity for the sauna at the log cabin, it's a real experience and nothing like the leisure centre saunas in the UK.

Take books or entertainment with you for the hotel in Kuhmo. There is a sauna to use but entertainment is limited. We used it as the perfect excuse to chat and relax. Rooms are comfortable but basic. No tea/coffee facilities in the room.

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Yes as our guides and transfer taxi driver were local. Very little carbon emissions from the sledding of course. Supporting local hotel business in Kuhmo. Aki really cares for his dogs, this is as far removed from mass tourism as possible.

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?

A fabulous escape. Unique landscape, friendly dogs, knowledgable guides. I would do this trip again in a heartbeat.

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2013 by James Hamand

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

Husky sledding across a frozen lake just before sunset.

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?

Bring warm socks!

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?